Step 4: Introduce the concept of the circle of lifeby passing out a piece of paper
to each participant and giving the following directions:
“On the blank sheet of paper, draw your life as it is now. For example,
draw circles that each represent work, family, recreation, sleep, religious
activities, community, and so on. Create circles that are unique to your
life.” (Make them the size that best represents your reality.)Step 5: Initiate a discussion with this question: What is balance, and what is
juggling?Possible answers:
Jugglingis when there are more balls than time or energy available.
Something has to be dropped. Balanceis when you feel comfortable with the number of shifting
priorities. When you occasionally see that you are out of balance, you
know you need to take time to recharge and rebalance your life.
Ask participants to draw new circles of life, but this time size them
according to how they would like to balance their lives. When they are
done, ask for volunteers to compare and contrast their two sets of circles.Step 6: To show how this illustration applies to their own situations, explain:
“One way to assess how you will find balance is to tie the way you spend
your time to your life goals, both personal and professional. I’m giving
you two questions to record in your journal.” Then say or write the
following:
What are your three top goals? Write them on your second chart as a
“reflective” bubble. What changes, if any, do you need to make in your time allotments
to achieve your goals?
(Allow some time for this.)Step 7: Put this quotatoion on the flipchart:
You can have it all; you just may not be able to have it all at the same time.
(Oprah Winfrey).Ask and discuss what this quote means.
Step 8: Conclude the activity by bringing the group outside to toss a few balls
around and enjoy a healthy snack. Close on a high note.(^156) THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING ACTIVITY BOOK